The Electric Wire Customers First! Coalition

Our special guest Marcus Hawkins, Executive Director, Organization of MISO States (OMS), walks us through some of the day-to-day functions of OMS, how he keeps up with proceedings at the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), and his view on the benefits of Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO's).

Links from Episode:

PSCW’s Strategic Energy Assessment (2028)
https://apps.psc.wi.gov/pages/viewdoc.htm?docid=451939

2023 MISO-OMS Resource Adequacy Survey
https://cdn.misoenergy.org/20230714%20OMS%20MISO%20Survey%20Results%20Presentation629607.pdf

Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO)
https://www.misoenergy.org/

Organization of MISO States (OMS)
https://www.misostates.org/index.php

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
https://www.ferc.gov/

Cindy Smith has served as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for over a decade and across three administrations. She joins the Electric Wire to discuss her role at the PSCW, ways the public can participate in the PSCW’s deliberative process, and how the energy landscape has changed over the past decade.

Cindy will answer the following questions and more over the course of the episode:

·      What should the public know about the process for participating in cases before the PSC? (12:19)

·      What are some of the cases of interest to the public that are currently before the Commission or coming up? (27:20)

·      How has the energy landscape changed since Cindy started at the Commission and how do those changes impact the work of the PSCW?
(30:00)

·      What are the most memorable cases that have come through the PSCW during Cindy’s time there? (36:32)



Links from Episode

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Homepage:

https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Highlighted Cases:

https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/CommissionActions/HighlightedCases.aspx

Mine storage is a specific form of pumped hydro energy storage
that is currently being explored in a partnership between Dairyland Power
Cooperative, Michigan Technological University, and Sweden-based Mine Storage.

This episode of the Electric Wire podcast includes
executives from Dairyland Power Cooperative, with President and CEO Brent Ridge,
and VP of Strategic Growth John Carr, both returning to the podcast to discuss
this new possibility for energy storage.

Dr. Timothy Scarlett is an Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Michigan
Technological University, and he joins the conversation to explain some of the
specific considerations when using mines for pumped hydro energy storage.

In
the introductions alone, you will learn more about Dairyland’s interest in
energy storage options and their plans for how it could complement other new technologies, such as small modular nuclear reactors (SMR’s).



Other highlights from the episode include:

19:00–Dr. Scarlett answers how pumped hydro storage using mines works

25:45–Brent Ridge and John Carr discuss how Dairyland will decide whether or not to move forward with a potential project

28:45–Brent Ridge answers which he thinks we will see first: mine storage for pumped hydro projects or new SMR’s

29:45–Each of the guests discuss the challenges with
implementing pumped hydro storage

32:00–Dr. Scarlett discusses a case study demonstrating
the capacity for mine storage projects

45:30–Each of the guests discuss what they would do if
they had “All the Power” in the industry

Learn more about the recent announcement of the partnership
between Dairyland Power Cooperative, Michigan Tech University, and Mine Storage at the following links:



Dairyland Power Cooperative Press Release: https://dairylandpower.com/dairyland-exploring-pumped-hydro-energy-storage



Michigan Technological University web site: https://www.mtu.edu/



MTU 2023 Research Magazine story about the idea of PUSH/MineStorage: 

https://www.mtu.edu/magazine/2023/stories/mines-new-energy/



Mine Storage web site: https://www.minestorage.com/



Mine Storage concept graphic:
https://www.minestorage.com/energy-solution/#mine-storage-concept



Wisconsin Public Radio:
https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-dairyland-energy-utility-converting-abandoned-mines-hydroelectric-generators



Note: Dairyland Power Cooperative is a Founding Member of
the Customers First Coalition

This episode examines some consumer issues associated with residential and commercial solar installations. Potential solar customers have many good options for reputable installers to work with, and by doing due diligence and planning, customers can feel confident they are making a sound investment.

Steve Freese, President and CEO, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, co-hosts this episode along with Kristin Gilkes, Executive Director, Customers First Coalition.

Special guests include:

• Michael Domke, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection; Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
• Leah Samson, Residential Energy Engineer; Madison Gas & Electric

Mike and Leah answer the following questions and more during this episode:

• What’s driving customers towards installing their own solar? (16:15)
• Are there particular issues with door-to-door solar sales? (18:00)
• What recourse do customers have if there is a problem with their solar installation? (29:00)
• Where should customers considering solar start? (34:00)

Links from episode

Wisconsin Electric Cooperative News, Steve Freese Column: Contact Your Cooperative Before Making the Call on Solar
https://wecnmagazine.com/article/contact-your-cooperative-before-making-the-call-on-solar/

DATCP Consumer Complaint Hotline: 1-800-422-7128

DATCP Solar Buying Tips:
https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/SolarPowerBuyingTips503.pdf

DATCP Bureau of Consumer Protection:
consumerprotection.wi.gov

Energy.gov Homeowners Guide to Going Solar
https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar

We are bringing you event audio from CFC's Power Breakfast in Madison on April 13, 2023, titled "The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix." This podcast episode, "2023 Power Breakfast, Part 2," covers the second half of the event, featuring remarks from:

-Panel Moderator: Ellen Nowak, Former Commissioner, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Panelists
-Tom Content, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin
-Paul Wilson, Chair, UW-Madison Dept. of Engineering Physics
-Emily Pritzkow, Executive Director, Wisconsin Building Trades Council
-Jeremy Browning, Vice President, Generation and Power Supply, Dairyland Power Cooperative

Our previous podcast episode, "2023 Power Breakfast, Part 1" features remarks from state and federal officials and NEI.

WisconsinEye provided full event coverage, and full video of the event can be found by searching for the Customers First Coalition at ⁠wiseye.org⁠ - you will simply need a free account to watch the video. WisconsinEye subscribers can download audio and video from all events WisconsinEye covers and we encourage you to support WisconsinEye by becoming a subscriber!

More event coverage can be found at the following links:

WisconsinEye:
⁠https://wiseye.org/2023/04/13/customers-first-coalition-the-nuclear-option-new-technologies-new-opportunities-for-wisconsin/

Wisconsin Public Radio:
⁠https://www.wpr.org/nuclear-key-key-cutting-carbon-emissions-combat-climate-change

WUWM:
⁠https://www.wuwm.com/2023-04-14/there-seems-to-be-enthusiasm-for-more-nuclear-power-in-wisconsin-but-what-about-the-cost-and-waste

WisBusiness:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/uw-madison-expert-says-nuclear-tech-at-pivot-point/

We are bringing you event audio from CFC's Power Breakfast in Madison on April 13, 2023, titled "The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix." This podcast episode, "2023 Power Breakfast, Part 1," covers the first half of the event, featuring remarks from:

- Senator Melissa Agard, Minority Leader, Wisconsin State Senate
- Representative Kevin Petersen, Speaker Pro Tempore, Wisconsin State Assembly
- Cheryl Moss Herman, Senior Advisor, Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy
- Christine Csizmadia, Senior Director of State Outreach, Nuclear Energy Institute

Our next podcast episode, "2023 Power Breakfast, Part 2" covers the Industry Perspectives Panel from the second half of the event.

WisconsinEye provided full event coverage, and full video of the event can be found by searching for the Customers First Coalition at ⁠wiseye.org⁠ - you will simply need a free account to watch the video. WisconsinEye subscribers can download audio and video from all events WisconsinEye covers and we encourage you to support WisconsinEye by becoming a subscriber!

More event coverage can be found at the following links:

WisconsinEye:
⁠https://wiseye.org/2023/04/13/customers-first-coalition-the-nuclear-option-new-technologies-new-opportunities-for-wisconsin/

Wisconsin Public Radio:
⁠https://www.wpr.org/nuclear-key-key-cutting-carbon-emissions-combat-climate-change

WUWM:
⁠https://www.wuwm.com/2023-04-14/there-seems-to-be-enthusiasm-for-more-nuclear-power-in-wisconsin-but-what-about-the-cost-and-waste

WisBusiness:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/uw-madison-expert-says-nuclear-tech-at-pivot-point/